What does the college waitlist process involve?

I recently heard about college waitlists and I'm curious how they work. If I get waitlisted, what are my chances of eventually getting in? Are there things I can do to improve my odds?

The college waitlist process essentially puts applicants into a kind of "holding pattern" after the primary admission decisions have been made. When a college receives more acceptances than it expected (and therefore has fewer open spaces remaining), it turns to its waitlist to fill those spots.

Being waitlisted does not guarantee admission. You're essentially in a queue and if spaces in the incoming class open up, the schools might offer admission to those on the waitlist. The number of students who are admitted from the waitlist can vary widely from year to year, depending on several factors such as the yield rate (the percentage of accepted students who choose to enroll), the size of the incoming class, and the number of students who have accepted a place on the waitlist. Some years, many waitlisted students may be admitted; other years, it might be very few or none at all.

If you're placed on a college's waitlist, you can take several actions that could potentially boost your odds of being admitted. Firstly, you should respond to the waitlist offer; some schools require students to actively accept their spots on the list. Infrequently, colleges may ask for more information, like an updated transcript or an additional letter of recommendation, and supplying these quickly and completely is definitely in your best interest.

It can also be beneficial to reaffirm your interest in the school. Writing a 'Letter of Continued Interest' (LOCI) can be an effective way to do this. In your letter, reiterate your enthusiasm for the school and any new achievements since submitting your application. At the same time, be sure not to overdo it – sending multiple letters, or barraging the admissions office with calls and emails, could do more harm than good.

Nevertheless, it's important to have a backup plan. Regardless of how much you want to attend the school where you were waitlisted, you should accept an offer from another college by May 1 to secure your spot somewhere. If you do get off the waitlist at your preferred school you can accept that offer and let the other college know you won't be attending.

Overall, being on a waitlist may extend the college application process and add a layer of uncertainty, but it does offer a glimmer of hope. Stay proactive and patient!